Cleanliness campaign to be conducted in all stations on 2nd October

Hyderabad: Union Railways Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Friday said that a 'special cleanliness campaign' will be carried out in all railway stations across the country on 2nd October. 'Swachhata Abhiyan' will be conducted on the stations.

"A massive cleanliness program will be carried out across all railway stations in the country on 2nd October. Nearly 13.5 lakh employees of railways will participate in the 'Swachhata Abhiyan'," he said.

Speaking to reporters after a review meeting with officials of South Central Railway (SCR) in Hyderabad, he said, "We have given 40 percent more grant for cleanliness. More importance has been given to cleanliness and catering."

On Indian Railways joining hands with China to enhance mutual cooperation in the sector, Gowda said that 10 stations have been identified across the country for upgrading them to international standards.

For the purpose, in the initial stage a study will be conducted for 2-3 stations, he said. On its association with China, Indian railways seek to increase speed in its existing rail network, modernize stations etc.

The MoU signed with Chinese government on Thursday also envisages heavy-haul transportation training of Indian Railway personnel and redevelopment of railway stations and setting up of a Railway University in India.

"These are the areas where we want to have partnership with Chinese government. Indian Railways should gear-up we are a little bit slow because of scarcity of funds. We have decided to raise funds from various sources, through FDI and private participation as well," Gowda said.

Another focus area of railways is to have solar energy generation at certain railway stations. "We want to have our own solar energy for operations of the whole railway stations," he added.